Which document mandates modifications to HIPAA's Privacy and Security Rules?

The Omnibus Rule is the document that mandates modifications to HIPAA's Privacy and Security Rules. This rule was adopted in 2013 and serves to implement various provisions of the HITECH Act, specifically enhancing the protections and enforcement of the privacy and security of health information.

The Omnibus Rule expanded the definitions of business associates and refined the obligations of these entities under HIPAA, ensuring greater compliance and accountability. It also established new rights for individuals concerning their health information, such as giving individuals more access to their health records and granting them the ability to restrict how their information is shared. This makes the Omnibus Rule a significant regulatory enhancement for privacy and security in healthcare.

While the HITECH Act indeed laid the groundwork for some of these changes, it is the Omnibus Rule that specifically outlines and enforces those modifications within the HIPAA framework. Other choices, such as the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, focus on different aspects of health information and discrimination, while the 21st Century Cures Act primarily addresses issues related to healthcare innovation and access to health information rather than modifications to HIPAA regulations.